6abc Loves the Arts: New podcast program

The Love the Arts in Philadelphia campaign has a new feature- podcasts that enable listeners to tune in for one-on-one interviews with renowned artists of all genres.

The free podcasts are designed to go beyond the headlines, diving deeper into the background of prominent people in the arts.

"It's an opportunity for people to listen to fun-filled, lighthearted conversations with actors, producers, directors, musicians, artists about their artistic passions and the people and the events that have inspired and influenced them," says Love Arts director Joel Gibbs, who hosts the podcast.

Since the launch of the podcasts, last fall, guests have included Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, and The Geater with the Heater, Jerry Blavat.

"We learn about their lives, about their youth," says Gibbs, "those thunderbolt moments that made them realize this is what I want to do with my life."

Gibbs says his goal is to extract little known anecdotes as well, "For instance, learning that Yannick Nézet-Séguin would have been much happier as a youth not playing hockey in Canada with all of his friends, but focusing on music."

Action New Anchor Jim Gardner recently sat down for a rare interview discussing some of his first experiences in television.

"All of these things that you never knew but end up being very interesting to learn," says Gibbs.

You can listen to individual episodes or subscribe to the entire series through iTunes.

Gibbs hopes that the interviews will give listeners a greater appreciation for the arts.

"The arts are something that are so important to our lives," Gibbs says, "It's in our soul; it defines us."

You can find all of the podcasts at www.LoveTheArtsPodcast.org, including that full interview with Jim Gardner.